The abnormally high temperatures registered in the winter of 2006/7 are endangering the livelihood of hundreds of workers in the Pyrenees. The hottest December in living memory plus the lack of rain since the late summer mean that there is not enough snow for the ski resorts to function properly and some have been forced to remain closed in the hope of a late change in the weather. The director of a prestigious 200-bed hotel complex in the Cerdanya told reporters that bookings since Christmas have been down by 65%. The only guests at the present time were a party of 43 pensioners from Bridlington who were hoping that the high-altitude clear air might benefit their arthritis.
Local residents and workers are resorting to extreme measures in an attempt to change the weather pattern of the region. A demonstration took place at mid day last Sunday in the town square of SetCases calling on local government to finance the cost of hiring an American Indian rainmaker. The mainly British employees of a well know international ski complex are reported to have considered invoking a pagan ritual involving a virgin but unfortunately, it was discovered that there were no virgins on the staff.
The weather forecast for the end of February suggests that a drop in temperatures, rain and snow may be on the way. Until this occurs the only beneficiaries of the situation are the companies specialising in the rental of artificial snow cannons. Meanwhile, a spokesman for the Ministry of Tourism strongly denied that the Ministry had offered to subsidise the purchase of thousands of gallons of white paint.
